Gender Differences in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Electrical Cardioversion

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Clinical Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Current atrial fibrillation (AF) management guidelines are more restrictive than in the past.
• Gender may influence treatment decisions for AF, including electrical cardioversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze gender-based clinical characteristics of patients undergoing electrical cardioversion.
• To compare current practices with a previous survey conducted 8 years prior.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 915 patients from the CARDIOVERSE study in Spain.
• Comparison of data with the previous REVERSE study.
• Evaluation of clinical characteristics stratified by gender and age.

Main Results:

• The majority of patients undergoing electrical cardioversion were men (76%).
• Men were younger, more often asymptomatic, and had lower rates of hypertension and stroke risk.
• The percentage of women undergoing electrical cardioversion decreased from 37% (REVERSE) to 24% (CARDIOVERSE), notably in patients over 65.

Conclusions:

• Gender appears to be a significant factor in AF management strategy decisions.
• A decline in women undergoing electrical cardioversion, especially older asymptomatic individuals, was observed over the last decade.